Poppy Player Of Season at Team Bath

Influential wing-defence Poppy Tydeman been voted by Team Bath Netball fans as their Player of the Season for the 2026 NXT Gen League campaign.

The Wales international, who is hoping to represent her country at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games this summer, received the most online vote after impressing with her tenacity, teamwork and consistency.

Natalie Roddy, Joint Head Coach of Team Bath’s NXT Gen League squad, said: “Poppy has been standout this season. She has a performance mindset and will always give you total commitment on court. She is relentless in her defence, able to create key turnovers at critical moments. She is the biggest champion of her team, and her belief and support of her teammates shines through in every performance.

“A hugely valuable member of this team, Poppy has been instrumental throughout the season and this recognition is thoroughly deserved.”

Tydeman was presented with her award on court following Team Bath’s 58-52 victory over LexisNexis Dragons in their last home match of the season.

A host of talented players from across the Team Bath Netball Player Pathway were also honoured on the day as awards were presented during the half-time interval to standout performers from the various age-group squads.

Handing over the awards was former Team Bath Netball goal-attack Sophie Kelly, now a Super League title winner with London Pulse. She is graduating this summer from the University of Bath, where she was recently voted by her fellow students as Sports Personality of the Year at the 2026 Blues Awards.

Awards went to:
• Junior PDP North: Spirit of Bath – Ruby Marsden; Coaches’ Player – Sophie McKee; Most Improved – Roami Wilson.
• Junior PDP South: Spirit of Bath – Caitlin Pearn; Coaches’ Players – Gracie Tubb and Bronte Power; Most Improved – Ava Atkins.
• Senior PDP: Spirit of Bath – Brooke Whittaker; Coaches’ Player – Katie Davis Moore; Most Improved – Jessie Frost.
• U17 NPL: Spirit of Bath – Maisie Bennett; Coaches’ Player – Grace Thomson; Most Improved – Mya Kelly.
• U19 NPL: Spirit of Bath – Lilia Davies; Coaches’ Player – Orla Farrelly; Most Improved – Imogen Baxter.
• NXT Gen Development: Spirit of Bath – Roisin O’Rourke; Coaches’ Player – Ronnie Thomas; Most Improved – Dani Carr.

The Athlete Development Centre athletes – more than 220 of which, aged 14-17, have benefited from access to Team Bath’s 10 regional centres based in every county of the South West – enjoyed their moment in the spotlight during the following day’s end-of-season tournament at the Team Bath Arena.

• Bath ADC: Spirit of Bath – Rosie Baker; Coaches’ Player – Ottilie Bye; Most Improved – Nicole Francis.
• Blandford ADC: Spirit of Bath – Zara Stanley; Coaches’ Player – Jessica Bemand; Most Improved – Molly Shrewbridge.
• Bristol ADC: Spirit of Bath – Alex Long; Coaches’ Player – Alice Barnes; Most Improved – Madalena Sidoli.
• Exeter ADC: Spirit of Bath – Alexa Bullivant; Coaches’ Player – Grace Murphy; Most Improved – Madalena Sidoli.
• Glastonbury ADC: Spirit of Bath – Hannah Davis; Coaches’ Player – Lily Simonite; Most Improved – Esme Burge.
• Gloucester ADC: Spirit of Bath – Ethel Toms; Coaches’ Player – Tirzah Crockatt; Most Improved – Ava Mitchell.
• Salisbury ADC: Spirit of Bath – Jess Longson; Coaches’ Player – Florence Gaiger; Most Improved – Poppy Gardner and Sienna Turner.
• Swindon ADC: Spirit of Bath – Maisie Bell; Coaches’ Player – Ella Steer; Most Improved – Amelie Golden.
• Tavistock ADC: Spirit of Bath – Millie Grimes; Coaches’ Players – Marley Power and Olivia Hatton; Most Improved – Katie Howell-Rich.
• Truro ADC: Spirit of Bath – Zofia Axe; Coaches’ Player – Elsie Pearn; Most Improved – Lucy Wilson.

Team Bath Netball Manager Emily Siddy said: “This season has once again highlighted why the South West is regarded as one of the strongest netball communities in the country. With record-breaking membership numbers at grassroot level, and talent emerging from all corners of our territory, we feel privileged to be able to provide a space where talented netballers can reach their potential, and where netball fans can turn up and celebrate the game they love.”

The winners of the NXT Gen League Coaches’ Player and Most Improved awards will be announced once their season is concluded at the end of the month.

Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel, and wealth management firm Brooks Macdonald is the official partner of the Athlete Development Centre programme.